US prosecutors: Desmond Ricks liberate after 25 years in prison over wrong bullets

US prosecutors have dropped all charges against a man who spent 25 years in prison for murder, amid allegations police had falsified evidence.

Desmond Ricks' lawyers say homicide detectives switched bullets in his mother's gun to pin a shooting on him.

He was convicted of gunning down a friend outside a restaurant in Detroit, Michigan, in March 1992, and sentenced to at least 32 years in prison.

Mr Ricks, 51, was released from prison last Friday.

Desmond Ricks heaved a sigh of relief after he was cleared

On Thursday, Wayne County prosecutor's office said Mr Ricks would not face a second trial.

"I hope you enjoy your newfound freedom," Judge Richard Skutt told the exonerated man, who heaved a sigh of relief.

Mr Ricks' case was championed by lawyers and students from the Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan's law school.

They managed to get the investigation reopened in 2016 after pointing out that two bullets taken from the victim, Gerry Bennett, looked different from the rounds presented at trial.

Police investigators had maintained the bullets held up as key evidence were fired from Mr Ricks' mother's pistol.